PORTLAND – Clyde Eugene McCulley, 82, died quietly at home on May 1, 2023, cradled in the arms of his wife Susan, after living for more than 11 years with pulmonary fibrosis.

Clyde was born in Benton, Ark. to Burley and Oma McCulley on March 19, 1941. He graduated from Madison Academy in Madison, Tenn. in 1959. He worked as boys’ dean at Laurelbrook Academy in Dayton, Tenn. Then earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Fine Arts from The Instituto Allende in Guanajuato, Mexico. While working toward his master’s degree, he founded the art department at Southwestern Adventist College in Keene, Texas.

After moving to teach art at Walla Walla College in Washington state, Clyde earned his Doctor of Education from Illinois State University, and relocated to Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Mass. After AUC, Clyde became the director of the Munson School of Art in Utica, N.Y., where he married his current wife, Susan. During his 25 years at Munson, he oversaw the expansion of the Munson School of Art as well as a merger with the Pratt Institute in New York City.

After retirement Clyde channeled his creativity into renovating historic “camps” in the Adirondacks. His passion culminated with the purchase of a Civil War-era home on the island of Grand Manan in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada where he and Susan created and ran SeaCliff Cottage Suites for 10 joyous years before they returned full-time to Portland, Maine, to manage Clyde’s illness.

In Portland, Clyde adjusted his creativity again by returning to photography and writing his memoir and a series of four young adult mysteries in addition to numerous poems.

The Boy on Shady Grove Road, led to Clyde’s being named an Arkansas Traveler, a title bestowed on notable individuals who serve as goodwill ambassadors for the state of Arkansas. In his final creative effort he posted daily six-word story prompts on Facebook, building a large community of devoted followers.

In his final weeks, Clyde was fortunate to celebrate his life with his wife, two daughters, grandchildren and two step sons.

Clyde was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings George, William, Lucille, Mary and Sue. He is survived by his wife, Susan, of 39 years; daughters Rhonda (Jesse) and Sheri (Tom); stepsons James (Shannon) and Matthew (Leanne); grandchildren Justin (Christine), Shelby (Tyler), Austin (Bree), Logan, Alice, Benjamin and Charlie; and a great granddaughter.

His family wishes to express their gratitude to all the people who embraced Clyde in his life and his illness. A special thanks to Hospice of Southern Maine and Cremation of Southern Maine in addition to the many doctors, nurses and EMTs who cared for Clyde with kindness and respect.

An occasion to honor Clyde has yet to be announced.

Gestures of remembrance can be made in

Clyde’s name to:

the Grand Manan Art Gallery

c/o Alison Ogilvie

10 Marathon Lane

Grand Manan, CANADA, E5G 3A3 or:

the Munson School of Art

c\o Treasurer

310 Genesee St.

Utica, NY, 13502

Or…simply create

He would love that

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